This is it, either the start of something good or the end of something forgettable. The story of the Michigan football program under third-year head coach Rich Rodriguez is about to take an important plot turn, one that will dictate whether this tale is nearing its end or has chapters yet to write.
Where it turns will be depend, at least to some degree, on an incoming group of freshmen that again puts Michigan in the top 20 recruiting classes in the country. The defense-heavy crop of talent features a number of high-profile players from rival-Ohio State’s backyard, a handful of homegrown offensive talents, and a Florida product who, immediately upon signing his letter-of-intent on National Signing Day, raised questions because of run-ins with the law during his high school days.
Rivals.com ranks Michigan’s class of recruits No. 20 in the country, second-best in the Big 10 (Penn State ranks No. 12), and ahead of rival schools Ohio State (No. 26) and Michigan State (No. 29). The high ranking comes in part because of the late signing of Florida defensive back Demar Dorsey, the No. 2-ranked safety in the country whose arrests while in high school drew immediate scrutiny from some Michigan alums who, in all honesty, look for reasons to question anything Rodriguez does. Dorsey is one of 15 defensive players who Rodriguez hopes can help shore up a unit that was consistently scorched during the 2009 season.
On offense, quarterback Devin Gardner, a product of nearby Inkster High School, looks to challenge returning sophomores Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson to run Rodriguez’s spread-offense. Receivers Ricardo Miller and Jeremy Jackson, both Ann Arbor products, provide speed on the outside. Toss in Drew Dileo, Cornelius Jones and Ray Vinopal, three recruits who list only as “athletes”, and you have a recruiting class that gives Michigan talent on par with any other program in the country.
The only question left is, “Can Rodriguez coach them?” Never mind pleasing the Michigan alums who have long yearned for a “Michigan man who coaches Michigan-style football.” Rodriguez, after two losing seasons that have shown little by way of encouragement, is now to the point that he must appease even those who were in support of his hiring two years ago. On the heels of a 5-7 season, Wolverines fans are getting restless, their patience wearing thin. Anything less than seven, possibly even eight, wins will have alums hollering at newly hired athletic director David Brandon for change. Anything less, and they might just get it.
Richard Ash (6-3, 263) defensive tackle, Pahokee, FL
Courtney Avery (5-9, 165) cornerback, Lexington, OH
Jibreel Black (6-2, 260) defensive end, Cincinnati, OH
Cullen Christian (6-1, 180) cornerback, Pittsburgh, PA
Drew Dileo (5-10, 170) athlete, Greenwell Springs, LA
Demar Dorsey (6-1, 180) safety, Lauderdale Lakes, FL
Josh Furman (6-2, 192) linebacker, Millersville, MD
Devin Gardner (6-4, 198) quarterback, Detroit, MI
Will Hagerup (6-4, 210) kicker, Whitefish Bay, WI
Stephen Hopkins (6-0, 215) running back, Flower Mound, TX
Jeremy Jackson (6-3, 195) wide receiver, Ann Arbor, MI
Carvin Johnson (6-1, 185) safety, Metairie, LA
Cornelius Jones (6-2, 195) athlete, Spartanburg, SC
Antonio Kinard (6-4, 210) linebacker, Youngstown, OH
Ricardo Miller (6-2, 205) wide receiver, Ann Arbor, MI
Christian Pace (6-3, 270) guard, Avon Lake, OH
Jordan Paskorz (6-4, 225) defensive end, Allison Park, PA
Jerald Robinson (6-1, 170) wide receiver, Canton, OH
Marvin Robinson (6-2, 196) linebacker, Eagle Lake, FL
Davion Rogers (6-5, 200) linebacker, Warren, OH
Jake Ryan (6-3, 220) linebacker, Westlake, OH
Terrence Talbott (5-9, 160) cornerback, Huber Heights, OH
Terry Talbott (6-3, 255) defensive tackle, Huber Heights, OH
Ray Vinopal (5-11, 180) athlete, Youngstown, OH
Austin White (6-0, 189) running back, Livonia, MI
Kenny Wilkins (6-3, 230) linebacker, Washington, PA
D.J. Williamson (6-4, 170) wide receiver, Warren, OH
Click here to revisit the 2009 Michigan football recruiting class.
Click here to revisit the 2008 Michigan football recruiting class
